Pages

Sunday, January 1, 2017

January's Blocks! A sweet little kitten and piggy!

Happy New Year! I finally have this month's posting done! Sometimes technology fights with me and things take a little time. Which reminds me of all the long car rides we took to grandma and grandpa's house! They lived on a farm in North Dakota and we lived either in Texas, New York or the closest state, Minnesota. We were always so anxious to get to grandma's! I've been so anxious to get this posted that it seems it has taken be twice as long, sorta like how all those car rides felt. So for this month I have two block designs for you, a sweet little kitten and pig. My grandparents always had kittens on the farm and us girls loved them! While visiting we always took the time to hunt down where mama kitty hid the litter, and then we would take the time to name them all. (Fluffy, Cotton ball, Ginger....) My grandparents never had any piggies but my husband grew up on a farm that did. I just couldn't resist making a little pink pig. This year's BOM is a very traditional design using 1930's fabrics. These fabrics remind me so much of grandma and her cotton dresses. I hope that you have fun with this pattern. January's pattern is chock full of info. You will get the directions on how to make the Dresden plate block. Feel free to make all 12 Dresden circles if you would like. The left over fabric from the Dresden Blades will be used for the applique designs. Remember the blocks are set on point. The supply list can be found on my website along with this month's directions. January's directions are only FREE this month, then after that they will be found on my Etsy site for a small fee. So let's get started....

Using the blade template cut 1 blade for each fabric.

16 different fabrics total for each block.

You will make 12 blocks all together for this quilt.

Fold the blade in half lengthwise, right sides together and sew a quarter inch seam along the short straight edge (Top edge). This will form the 'point' when you turn it right side out.

Here I have all my blades pressed for one block.

Sew your blades together in pairs, right sides together. Continue to sew blades together along the long side until you form a 16 section plate.

I love the scrappiness of this 'plate'.

I ironed the circle in half, then in half again. And one more time so that I have 'markers' for lining up my circle with my plate section.

I line the seam up with the folded marking and ease my circle and plate section together.

I hold it all together with pins.

I sew the two together with a 1/4" seam.

The center is the perfect spot for an applique!

I have fused my applique pieces onto the centers of the circles.

I then machine applique around the edges to finish off the design.

For the cat I use my machine's buttonhole stitch to 'draw' the cat.

I followed the drawing that is included in the pattern sheet for January.

My fav fabrics. As much as I said "no more quilts" up jumps this delightful pattern. I'm on and can't wait to finger some of my old 1930s reproduction fabrics. Will put your button on my blog when I get started. I may have a friend or two join me.